Hudson competes in Diddle Arena for first time at ‘Grow the Game Showcase’

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Saturday, Hilltopper volleyball swept MTSU for the team’s 30th straight win in the ‘100 Miles of Hate’ series, but that wasn’t the biggest story of the day.

Afterwards, WKU held a ‘Grow the Game Showcase’ featuring an exhibition matchup with men’s volleyball programs from Ball State and Ohio State which included a very familiar face.

“There’s so many people that went into making me who I am and getting me to this place that I’m in, and just the opportunity to play in front of all of them and them be here and get to watch me in person, and it be full circle, it be in my hometown,” Ohio State junior Drew Hudson said, “I’m super proud that I represent them at Ohio State, but now getting to come home and play in front of them is just so special to me.”

Hudson is the libero for the Buckeyes, and despite living in Warren County throughout his childhood years, Saturday marked his first ever game in town.

There are not many firsts that happen on Western’s campus revolving around the last name Hudson, as Drew’s father, Travis, has carved out a historic career on the Hill.

Saturday was a rare case, seeing a legendary coach on the sidelines transform into a proud dad in the seats.

“I think it’s great for the community, obviously, but as a dad, to see this young man get to come back and play in front of these fans that he’s grown up around, (it’s) a really, really special day,” WKU Volleyball head coach Travis Hudson said.

“I’ve coached a lot of (players) that I love like family, but there’s only one that truly is. To see him be able to see his dreams come true and then to get to come back and do it in front of the home fans is something I’ll never forget.”

From growing up on the Diddle Arena court to now growing the game on that same floor, Drew had watched his father be an impactful person in the sport, and now he’s hoping to become someone of influence in his own regard.

“I just hope that anybody here today understands that this could be them, too. There’s nothing that makes me special that they can’t be, and I’m just really hoping that now that they’re exposed to it, they see it, now they know they can be it,” Drew said. “It’s just so cool. It’s something I’ve loved for so long, and it’s just so cool to see this community and this area of the country start to love it as much as I do.”

“My hope is that there’s a lot of young men that’ll be sitting in the stands that understand volleyball is an avenue for them now,” Travis said. “Getting to witness it should open their eyes to the athleticism that this sport provides.”

Saturday was a remarkably special day for the Hudson family and Bowling Green’s growth of boys’ volleyball.

Only time will tell where the union between the game and the area will progress to in the future.